Nope... I've autocrossed 944 Turbo, RX-7, S2000, and Mustang...

I've driven the Z06 and 911 Targa fast on the streets... My brother's cars, including the 944 Turbo.

 

I agree that if you are sensible and responsible then you should be fine with an S2000, but never forget that it is one very unforgiving car if you screw up. If you don't feel honestly that you are up to it then I would advise you to buy something with less power. As has already been said it's up to you....you sound mature enough to know what's best.

Remember that car control is only one factor (and not the most important factor) in being a 'good driver'. The most important factor is experience - reading the situation, reading other peoples reactions and knowing what action to take only comes with practice. No amount of track days will prepare you for this - only time behind the wheel on a real road with real idiots inadvertantly trying their best to kill you.

There's a very good reason that young drivers have higher insurance premiums.... they have more accidents. It's as simple as that.
</Patronising Mode>

 

As I mentioned before, experience is what is at issue here, not age. And I'm sorry if people feel that's "lame". I am also sorry if you didn't want to hear from "older" people on this thread, but the sad truth is, asking another teenager about this scenario is like a blind boy asking another blind boy what the stripper at the club looks like.

I find the mention of autocross experience indiciative of the problem. If I could pick a driving situation that was LEAST likely to be useful on the street, this would be it. Autocross experience simply has no no bearing in street use. Why?

1. Not usually done in the rain
2. Generally on different tires
3. No traffic.
4. No pedestrians
5. No real penalty for mistakes (hit some cones)
6. Moderated speed
7. Riding alone
8. Not fooling with CD player.
9. Under constant surveilance
Etc.

Us old guys are not hypocrites. We all had our day. And we all did dumb things when we were younger. And yes, if I could have gotten a S2K when I was 16, I would have wanted one desperately. But as I look back on it now, I'm glad I didn't get it. I've watched a number of my friends die because they got that hot car at too young an age. And all of them thought they could drive well too.

Sometimes the true benefit of being older is to try to help younger people get to be older as well, instead of becoming a statistic. And I certainly don't want to preach to anyone on the forums.

Get whatever car you like. Really. Enjoy the thing. Have a good time. Just remember that autocrossing doesn't make you Michael Schumacher, and having a cute girl in the car doesn't make you superman. And if your buddies want to race, take 'em to the track. I don't want to hear of anyone on here costing lives. I've seen far too many lost already.

Best of luck to you.

 

I dont consider 23 to be old--although I'm older than the teenagers on here, but I happen to agree with the above quote. However, I'm starting to get older and starting to realize that lots of times older people actually do have some good input. Do what you want, but looking back to when I was 16-18 I was looking for instant gratification. I wanted the coolest car--and something that my friends would respect. And I didnt car how I got a car like that as long as I had it. Even if it meant my parents buying it for me.

My point is, it takes maturity to have to be able to say to yourself at 16-18, 'hey, I really would like a nice car, but I'm only a teenager and I need more driving experience--and the car of my dreams can wait.' Listen to the older people--chances are you dont like what you hear, but they've been there and have done that. And when it comes to cars, unlike other decisions, it could be a life/death decision.

Also, I wouldnt want my parents buying me a nice car like that. Sure its cool for them to help you out, and even help buy a beater, but nothing helps your pride more than doing something yourself. And people will respect you as well for doing something on your own. There are too many people in this world today that are selfish and just want instant gratification. And someone made the point about highschoolers jumping to the NBA. Sure they might have enough talent, but the reality is that most of those kids dont have the maturity and do not understand that with all that money comes responsibility. Heck, just look at the fact that many NBA players have criminal records. Most of those players are just little kids in a candy shop and just want more and more and more. So, to get off my soapbox, dont be an a sshole to society--be mature about things and dont rely on mommy and daddy for instant gratification and listen to older people--especially about big decisions even though you dont like hearing it. I said this cause I'm Rick James, Bitch.

 

I had a 1996 Integra as my first new car. Owned a 1987 Camaro with a 350 in high school.

Think about the Integra or the RSX. They are sporty, reliable and have some good brand recognition. If I had a son (or daughter) I would probably steer them toward one of these Honda vehicles.

Good luck in your decision.

 

Good GOD! What brought you to this LOWLY state!

A lot of older people are santimonious. I've just started to get old enough to realize why. But people need to have a HARD look at the older people on this forum. We aren't the crochety old people on the porch. We drive S2ks, and many of us have driven some of the coolest cars in history. You know, the ones you see at all the hot rod shows. We remember when the Hemi was NEW, and not some catch-phrase for a pick-up truck motor.

We are not the enemy. We listened to loud music in our cars as kids (as loud as 2 speakers driven by an 8-track could be), and we're the reason you guys get to drive such cool cars now. Don't believe it? Who do you think is at the auto companies designing cars like the S2k, NSX, 911, RX-8, Evo, etc. It's damn sure not a slew of teenagers convincing car companies to spend millions on these projects. It's us! It's my generation who are designing the cars WE wanted when we were your age, but we didn't have the money to buy. You think the Subie STi was thought up by some 18 year old? Or by a guy 2 years short of retirement? NO! It was a guy like me, in his 30s-40s who watched Cannonball Run and Smokey and the Bandit a few too many times.

You guys need to be thanking us for getting older, and instead of becoming old fogies, for actually remembering what our youth was like, and providing you guys with these kinds of cars. In my day, if you wanted a 2 seat convertible, you either had to have the jack to buy a Porsche or Ferrari, or you had to settle for a British roadster than leaked when it rained and spent as many days in the shop as it did on the road.

It might do you good to actually listen to someone in their 30's or 40's once in a while. Trust me when I tell you, that age is not what you think at all. It's Hella fun, and we still like all the same stuff we did when we were 20. Difference now, is that most of us can actually AFFORD it.

 

I agree on many of your points, but disagree that autocross experience is useless. On the contrary, I find that the skills learned in handling a car at its limit is invaluable to ANY driver, not just teenagers.

Autocrosses CAN be run in the rain with street tires. Although hitting a cone poses no real threat, the presence of that cone indicates that a certain maneuver is needed in order to avoid it, much like a piece of debris on a highway. To cite an example, I was once on Rt.80 with my wife headed to PA and was confronted with a TIRE strewn right in the middle of the highway. I was able to skirt around the tire without causing myself or others harm. I knew EXACTLY how the car would behave and I knew EXACTLY how to NOT overcorrect on the steering to get back in my lane. I strongly believe that my years of autocrossing has made me a more careful and competent driver.

 

You are, of course, correct, and I should have made myself more clear. ANY training or driving experience that teaches you to maintain your own vehicle, and operate it in a safe manner, is valuable.

My primary point of contention was that autocrossing is not "street-like". Running on an open track is also not street-like, but moreso than autocross beacuse now mistakes can cost real damage, and pain.

When you think of it, street driving is incredibly more dangerous than any form of racing. The mere fact that you have traffic going in opposite directions at any given time, and oftentimes with no more than a few feet between you is astounding. Add pedestrians, traffic lights, cell phones, road hazards that would black flag a race, slow moving cars, distracted drivers, weather, etc., and its a miracle we don't see more crashes than we do. It is an environment that demands respect.

So sorry for bagging on autocross unintentionally. As you say, learning to handle a car at it's limit will always pay dividends, even if its just in peace of mind.

 

I say get what makes you happy. You can be a stupid reckless driver in an Escort. Just don't race every time someone revvs their engine at you and don't think that the car won't lose its' grip in the corners. Just drive the car with some respect and common sense and you'll be fine. I wanted a Miata when I was 16 but my mother couldn't afford it.

 

I still dont get this..... the s2000 isnt a powerful car. Its actually pretty damn slow! I've seen more "young punks" in T/A's, Camaros, and Mustangs, all of which are more powerful. All you have to do to be safe in this car is, be easy on the turns, and if you wanna take turns fast and or learn how to, go auto-xing, or enroll in a school. Dont assume that you know how to do it. The car wont hurt you, your ignorance will.